Some diseases that pass through our environment can be devastating to wildlife, livestock, agriculture, forestry, human health, and recreation. The USGS has many different tools to monitor the spread of certain pathogens and better define how these diseases impact the natural world.
Monitoring Biological Threats
USGS scientists have unique expertise in investigating biological threats such as wildlife diseases, chemical contaminants, pathogens, invasive species, and other environmental challenges. A better understanding of these issues and conditions informs decisions that support a healthy and resilient America.
Assessing the Seen and Unseen
Biological threats can range in size from microscopic to global. The USGS delivers science to protect public safety, property, and ecosystems from existing and emerging hazards.
Examples of Biological Threats
Biological threats like diseases and invasive species can spread through nature, causing an incredible ripple effect on human populations. Biological threats can endanger wildlife, livestock, agriculture, forestry, public health, and recreational resources that people rely on. The USGS studies a range of biological hazards to help limit their impacts.
Animal Diseases and Pathogen Transmission
Invasive Species and Nonnative Competition
Spills, blooms, and aquatic hazards
Zoonotic Diseases
Biosurveillance
Harmful Algal Blooms
The Cost of Biological Threats
Biological threats have an impact on our ecosystem, public safety, and the economy. Sometimes these impacts may be small, while others can be catastrophic. The USGS works with its partners to monitor the different threats and provides insights and resources that help protect people, the environment, and our Nation’s infrastructure.
Science
Q&A: Bird Flu - Ongoing Threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Alaska and North America
Decision science support for Chronic Wasting Disease
Algal Toxins and Wildlife Health
Using Robots in the River: Biosurveillance at USGS streamgages
Large Oil Spills
Q&A: Bird Flu - Ongoing Threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Alaska and North America
Decision science support for Chronic Wasting Disease
Algal Toxins and Wildlife Health
Using Robots in the River: Biosurveillance at USGS streamgages
Large Oil Spills
Asian Carp Early Detection
Wildlife Disease and Environmental Health in Alaska
Threats to protected areas
Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Program
How do scientists study avian influenza in wild birds?
To learn more about the impacts of avian influenza on wild birds and the role wild birds may play in the spread of the virus, experts from government agencies have gathered samples from hundreds of thousands of live-captured, apparently healthy wild birds, hunter-harvested birds, and dead wild birds of all species. Testing methods include analyses of fecal samples and swabs of the bird’s trachea...
What should I do if I find sick or dead wildlife?
A cluster of sick or dead animals in an area might indicate a wildlife disease of concern. If you find sick or dead wildlife, contact your closest state or federal wildlife agency; they can decide whether to investigate. You might also contact your local health department to report this occurrence.
Should I be concerned about radon in my house?
You can get an idea as to how concerned you should be about radon in your house by learning about the geology of the site and its radon potential. If your house is in an area the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows has a high potential for radon, then chances are that your house may have an indoor radon problem. However, the way a house is built can increase the risk - so even in areas of...
Why are pollinating bats, birds, bees, butterflies, and other animals important?
Do you enjoy a hot cup of coffee, a juicy peach, an-apple-a-day, almonds, rich and creamy dates, a handful of plump cashews, or vine-ripened tomatoes? Do you enjoy seeing the native flowers and plants that surround you? If so, you depend on pollinators. Wherever flowering plants flourish, pollinating bees, birds, butterflies, bats and other animals are hard at work, providing vital but often...
What should I do if I find dead or dying bats, or if I observe bats with signs of White-nose Syndrome?
If you find a dead or dying bat: Contact your state wildlife agency, file an electronic report in those states that offer this service, e-mail U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists in your area, or contact your nearest Fish and Wildlife Service field office to report your potential White-nose Syndrome (WNS) observations. It is important to determine the species of bat in case it is a federally...
What is an invasive species and why are they a problem?
An invasive species is an introduced, nonnative organism (disease, parasite, plant, or animal) that begins to spread or expand its range from the site of its original introduction and that has the potential to cause harm to the environment, the economy, or to human health. A few well-known examples include the unintentional introduction of the West Nile virus, chestnut blight, the South American...
What is chronic wasting disease?
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal, neurological illness occurring in North American cervids (members of the deer family), including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. Since its discovery in 1967, CWD has spread geographically and increased in prevalence locally. CWD is contagious; it can be transmitted freely within and among cervid populations. No treatments or vaccines are...
Where in the United States has West Nile Virus been detected in wildlife?
West Nile Virus has been detected in all conterminous states of the U.S., the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam have no reported cases of West Nile virus in humans or animals. Distribution maps are available from the Centers for Disease Control. Learn more: Vector-Borne Diseases
- Overview
Examples of Biological Threats
Biological threats like diseases and invasive species can spread through nature, causing an incredible ripple effect on human populations. Biological threats can endanger wildlife, livestock, agriculture, forestry, public health, and recreational resources that people rely on. The USGS studies a range of biological hazards to help limit their impacts.
Animal Diseases and Pathogen TransmissionAnimal Diseases and Pathogen TransmissionInvasive Species and Nonnative CompetitionInvasive Species and Nonnative CompetitionSpills, blooms, and aquatic hazardsSpills, blooms, and aquatic hazardsZoonotic DiseasesZoonotic DiseasesBiosurveillanceBiosurveillanceHarmful Algal BloomsHarmful Algal BloomsThe Cost of Biological Threats
Biological threats have an impact on our ecosystem, public safety, and the economy. Sometimes these impacts may be small, while others can be catastrophic. The USGS works with its partners to monitor the different threats and provides insights and resources that help protect people, the environment, and our Nation’s infrastructure.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Infographic highlighting impact of biological threats on ecosystems, public safety, and the economy. Science
Q&A: Bird Flu - Ongoing Threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Alaska and North America
Since 2006, the USGS has cooperated with many federal, state, and tribal agency partners in the detection of and response to Avian Influenza (AI) viruses including highly pathogenic AI (or HPAI) viruses in wild birds in North America. Avian influenza, also known as "bird flu", is a viral disease that infects domestic poultry and wild birds. HPAI is an ecologically and economically significant...Decision science support for Chronic Wasting Disease
Eastern Ecological Science Center adds the decision analytical skill set to the existing body of USGS expertise on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), in support of our sister DOI agencies.Algal Toxins and Wildlife Health
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have the potential to harm fish and wildlife, domestic animals, livestock, and humans through toxin production or ecological disturbances such as oxygen depletion and blockage of sunlight.Using Robots in the River: Biosurveillance at USGS streamgages
For more than a decade, researchers around the world have shown that sampling a water body and analyzing for DNA (a method known as eDNA) is an effective method to detect an organism in the water. The challenge is that finding organisms that are not very abundant requires a lot of samples to locate this needle in a haystack. Enter the "lab in a can", the water quality sampling and processing robot...Large Oil Spills
Oil spills, such as the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, are impactful environmental disasters that have long lasting effects to the landscape, native species, and inhabitants who depend on the area. The USGS explores the adverse effect that large-scale oil spills have on the environment and helps responders prepare for environmental recovery and rehabilitation. - Publications
- Science
Q&A: Bird Flu - Ongoing Threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Alaska and North America
Since 2006, the USGS has cooperated with many federal, state, and tribal agency partners in the detection of and response to Avian Influenza (AI) viruses including highly pathogenic AI (or HPAI) viruses in wild birds in North America. Avian influenza, also known as "bird flu", is a viral disease that infects domestic poultry and wild birds. HPAI is an ecologically and economically significant...Decision science support for Chronic Wasting Disease
Eastern Ecological Science Center adds the decision analytical skill set to the existing body of USGS expertise on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), in support of our sister DOI agencies.Algal Toxins and Wildlife Health
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have the potential to harm fish and wildlife, domestic animals, livestock, and humans through toxin production or ecological disturbances such as oxygen depletion and blockage of sunlight.Using Robots in the River: Biosurveillance at USGS streamgages
For more than a decade, researchers around the world have shown that sampling a water body and analyzing for DNA (a method known as eDNA) is an effective method to detect an organism in the water. The challenge is that finding organisms that are not very abundant requires a lot of samples to locate this needle in a haystack. Enter the "lab in a can", the water quality sampling and processing robot...Large Oil Spills
Oil spills, such as the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, are impactful environmental disasters that have long lasting effects to the landscape, native species, and inhabitants who depend on the area. The USGS explores the adverse effect that large-scale oil spills have on the environment and helps responders prepare for environmental recovery and rehabilitation.Asian Carp Early Detection
Increased threat of Asian carp entering the Great Lakes and spreading to other basins such as the Upper Mississippi River and Ohio River basins, has led to increased prevention and control efforts since 2010. In collaboration with partners, USGS scientists are testing early detection methods and technologies to enhance the ability of agencies to manage Asian carp to minimize their influence and...Wildlife Disease and Environmental Health in Alaska
Environmental health is defined by connections between the physical environment, ecological health, and human health. Current research within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recognizes the importance of this integrated research philosophy, which includes study of disease and pollutants as they pertain to both wildlife and humans. Due to its key geographic location and significant wildlife...Threats to protected areas
Land-use intensification poses significant threats to biodiversity both directly through the alteration and fragmentation of ecosystems and habitat loss, and indirectly through the disruption of supporting ecological processes. While protected areas offer refugia for species and ecosystems, they do not function in isolation from surrounding natural, working, or human-dominated landscapes.Protected...Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Program
Welcome to the Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) information resource for the United States Geological Survey. Located at Gainesville, Florida, this site has been established as a central repository for spatially referenced biogeographic accounts of introduced aquatic species. The program provides scientific reports, online/realtime queries, spatial data sets, distribution maps, and general... - Data and More
- Multimedia
- News
- FAQ
How do scientists study avian influenza in wild birds?
To learn more about the impacts of avian influenza on wild birds and the role wild birds may play in the spread of the virus, experts from government agencies have gathered samples from hundreds of thousands of live-captured, apparently healthy wild birds, hunter-harvested birds, and dead wild birds of all species. Testing methods include analyses of fecal samples and swabs of the bird’s trachea...
What should I do if I find sick or dead wildlife?
A cluster of sick or dead animals in an area might indicate a wildlife disease of concern. If you find sick or dead wildlife, contact your closest state or federal wildlife agency; they can decide whether to investigate. You might also contact your local health department to report this occurrence.
Should I be concerned about radon in my house?
You can get an idea as to how concerned you should be about radon in your house by learning about the geology of the site and its radon potential. If your house is in an area the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows has a high potential for radon, then chances are that your house may have an indoor radon problem. However, the way a house is built can increase the risk - so even in areas of...
Why are pollinating bats, birds, bees, butterflies, and other animals important?
Do you enjoy a hot cup of coffee, a juicy peach, an-apple-a-day, almonds, rich and creamy dates, a handful of plump cashews, or vine-ripened tomatoes? Do you enjoy seeing the native flowers and plants that surround you? If so, you depend on pollinators. Wherever flowering plants flourish, pollinating bees, birds, butterflies, bats and other animals are hard at work, providing vital but often...
What should I do if I find dead or dying bats, or if I observe bats with signs of White-nose Syndrome?
If you find a dead or dying bat: Contact your state wildlife agency, file an electronic report in those states that offer this service, e-mail U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists in your area, or contact your nearest Fish and Wildlife Service field office to report your potential White-nose Syndrome (WNS) observations. It is important to determine the species of bat in case it is a federally...
What is an invasive species and why are they a problem?
An invasive species is an introduced, nonnative organism (disease, parasite, plant, or animal) that begins to spread or expand its range from the site of its original introduction and that has the potential to cause harm to the environment, the economy, or to human health. A few well-known examples include the unintentional introduction of the West Nile virus, chestnut blight, the South American...
What is chronic wasting disease?
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal, neurological illness occurring in North American cervids (members of the deer family), including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. Since its discovery in 1967, CWD has spread geographically and increased in prevalence locally. CWD is contagious; it can be transmitted freely within and among cervid populations. No treatments or vaccines are...
Where in the United States has West Nile Virus been detected in wildlife?
West Nile Virus has been detected in all conterminous states of the U.S., the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam have no reported cases of West Nile virus in humans or animals. Distribution maps are available from the Centers for Disease Control. Learn more: Vector-Borne Diseases